Saturday, December 25, 2010 at 08:56AM May today be filled with memories of family, of friends, of love and of laughter.
Merry Christmas from my home to yours...
Personal Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 07:31PM 
The seasons are changing and there is a sense of renewal in the air...I am constantly aware of it, it is like the weather is reminding me about the positive results of change and about the beauty that follows storms. I am so thankful to live in an area that experience seasons...all four of them. I couldn't imagine calling a location my permanent home without the quarterly progressions from one extreme to the next. Last week was gorgeous weather, in fact, Sunday it was almost 80 degrees. But today? Today there was rain. Unexpected weather changes that make this area I call home even more special and that remind me that I do not have all the details in my control to plan.
Last week when it still felt like Spring, I grabbed my camera, my dog and my husband (and yes, in that order) to travel the one mile to my sister-in-law's house, but I specifically wanted to see the little beauty in the image below. We ventured out a super fun mini-photo session around the neighborhood to capture the essence of being 3 years and 9 months old. Beyond capturing her spirit I really wanted to focus on her enviable eye lashes and adorable uncontrollable curls. It was purely a bonus that I was able to capture my own 'daughter' Shasta who enjoyed being pushed on the merry-go-round by her cousin.
I will be posting several blog posts of the little girl above...I do not have another photo session scheduled until Saturday and my session last week was rescheduled (missed seeing you Tenanya!) I hope that you all do not mind having serious eye lash envy this week on this little blog.
xoxo
Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 11:40AM Rain + thunder + lightning + flooding = weather, lots ands lots of Sonoma County weather from the last week.
We needed it, but I missed the sun. On Friday afternoon the sun started to show again and I jumped up and down with joy, grabbed by trusty camera and walked 10 steps out my backyard to capture the following images. It was beautiful.
The rain soaked ground has already filled up our lakes and creek - much needed news - and has created new color throughout the scenery. On a drive yesterday through the county I smiled enjoying the green grass, the new mustard fields showing and the rain rolling clouds moving through the sky. I feel so blessed to call this beautiful county my home.
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 10:13AM It was Christmas, the last Christmas without another generation included in the family. The last Christmas with just my parents, my sister and our husbands. Next Christmas my new niece will be nine months old, and I already cannot wait. But I have contained myself from shopping for her already, we still have a two more baby showers to get through first!. One of the perks of being in my family is constant photo taking. Although some might prefer to not have it be so constant, I cannot help myself, it is just what I do.
After our traditional Christmas morning with my father's side of the family in Calistoga, I took Alicia and Geoff outside on our family "ranch" (in quotations because my family has always called it the ranch, but it is minature compared to my husband's real family ranch.) It is amazing what 10 minutes of photo taking can accomplish and what two and a half pregnancy months can do to a belly (a quick maternity session from October can be viewed here.)
This picture is SO Geoff and he will probably kill me for posting it - I guess that is one of the downfalls of having me and my camera around - I am in charge of what gets posted and what doesn't :)
Later in the day, at my grandparents house, I stole my sister again because the lighting in the front room of the house was gorgeous. Here is a picture that makes my heart stop a little. Three generations of hands on one belly...
I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season with their family, remember to take the time to take photos as often as possible during family celebrations. They are valuable beyond words. And when you are actually ready to be in the photos and have a complete family photo taken, remember to contact me at info@melissamorelliphotography.com. xoxo